Method and composition for treatment of a well

Abstract

The invention provides a material comprising: a core made of a solid material; a first layer surrounding the core made of a swellable material able to swell in contact with a fluid; a second layer surrounding the first layer made of a glue material able to glue to a third element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A permeable composition, comprising:
 (i) a core composed of a solid material; 
 (ii) a first layer surrounding the core composed of a swellable material that is able to swell in contact with a fluid wherein the fluid is one or more members of the list consisting of: aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, foams and emulsions prepared from two effectively immiscible fluids; and 
 (iii) a second layer surrounding the first layer composed of an adhesive material able to adhere to a third element, wherein the third element is one or more members of the list consisting of: mineral particles, ceramic particles and organic polymer particles; 
 wherein, the second layer is able to retard contact of the fluid with the first layer, and the second layer is sufficiently flexible to remain intact as the first layer swells. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the core is between 200 and 1600 micrometers, the thickness of the first layer is between 40 and 120 micrometers, and the thickness of the second layer is between 20 and 60 micrometers. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the first layer increases to between 50 and 300 micrometers upon contact with the fluid. 
     
     
       4. A permeable system comprising a:
 (i) a plurality of particles, each comprising: 
 (a) a core composed of a solid material; 
 (b) a first layer surrounding the core composed of a swellable material that is able to swell in contact with a fluid wherein the fluid is one or more members of the list consisting of: aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, foams and emulsions prepared from two effectively immiscible fluids; and 
 (c) a second layer surrounding the first layer composed of an adhesive material able to adhere to a third element wherein the third element is one or more members of the list consisting of: mineral particles, ceramic particles and organic polymer particles; 
 wherein, the second layer is able to retard contact of the fluid with the first layer, and the second layer is sufficiently flexible to remain intact as the first layer swells; and 
 (ii) one or more particles comprising the third element. 
 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a fluid to activate swelling of the first layer. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a second fluid that does not react with the first layer, such that said system forms a pumpable suspension that can be placed in a well. 
     
     
       7. A method for treating a well comprising:
 (i) selecting a zone to treat;” 
 (ii) pumping a suspension into or near the zone, the suspension comprising: 
 (a) a core composed of a solid material; 
 (b) a first layer surrounding the core composed of a swellable material that is able to swell in contact with a fluid wherein the fluid is one or more members of the list consisting of: aqueous fluids, non-aqueous fluids, foams and emulsions prepared from two effectively immiscible fluids; and 
 (c) a second layer surrounding the first layer composed of an adhesive material able to adhere to a third element wherein the third element is one or more members of the list consisting of: mineral particles, ceramic particles and organic polymer particles; and 
 wherein, the second layer is able to retard contact of the fluid with the first layer, and the second layer is sufficiently flexible to remain intact as the first layer swells; 
 (iii) exposing the suspension to the third element; and 
 (iv) allowing the first layer to swell upon contact with the fluid such that the suspension forms a barrier that is permeable to fluids. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third element is already present in the well. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the permeable system provides sand control in the well.